Zigzag

Zigzag is a Decepticon-allied Nebulan Targetmaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Who cares if I turn into a gun? I have a BIG KNIFE.

Zigzag (aka Zputty) is a Nebulan hovercraft mechanic whose incompetence left vehicles in worse shape than when he started on them, making him the object of derision among his co-workers. He joined the Decepticons in order to get revenge on his tormentors. Now partnered with Sunbeam and the Decepticon Needlenose, he's still the object of ridicule, but at least now he has something more convincing as a retort than just profanity.

Fiction

Classics

Needlenose (apparently) became a Targetmaster at some point and carried Zigzag into the fight with Nightbeat and his allies as part of the Mayhem Attack Squad. Cheap Shots

TransTech

Zigzag, a Cyberdroid from his home reality's planet Master, was an assistant to Needlenose in Axiom Nexus. Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/19

Commercial appearances

• Needlenose wielded both Zigzag and Sunbeam in a battle against the three Autobot Double Targetmasters, firing them both wildly in their gun modes while chasing down his targets. Double Targetmasters commercial

Toys

The Transformers

Puzzler? Never heard of him.

• Needlenose (Targetmaster, 1988)

• Known designers: Takashi Kunihiro (TakaraTomy), Masakatsu Saito (concept artist)

Part of the fifth year of The Transformers product, Zigzag transforms into a twin electrostatic overloader rifle in basically one and a half steps. As a Targetmaster, his handle is a 5 mm post, making him compatible with a lot of toys throughout the entire franchise. His base also features a 5mm post-hole, nominally used to combine him with his pack-in partner Sunbeam to form a super-rifle. In his humanoid form, Zigzag's right leg and left arm are molded with a sword and a shield, respectively, on their sides.

Zigzag and Sunbeam were only available with the Decepticon Targetmaster Needlenose in 1988. No version of this character or mold was released in Japan.

• More information on Zigzag at TFU.info

Combiner Wars

Have no fear! Zigzag the Grand Vizier is here!

• Needlenose (TFSS 4.0, 2016)

Combiner Wars "Zputty" (likely renamed for trademark reasons) is a redeco of Generations: Thrilling 30 Holepunch, transforming into a double-barreled blaster. He also has the ability to combine with the included Sunbeam toy to form a super-rifle, with either one forming the "front" part.

He was only available as an accessory with Needlenose, the first figure released in the Figure Subscription Service 4.0.

This mold was also used to make Timelines Cline, and Combiner Wars Shrute.

Legacy

• Needlenose (Deluxe Class, 2023)

• TakaraTomy ID number: TL-23
• Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Ittoku Kuwazu (TakaraTomy)^[1]

Included with Legacy: Evolution Needlenose, "Decepticon Zigzag" functions just like his original figure, transforming into a blaster for Needlenose to wield, and can also combine with "Decepticon Sunbeam" to form a larger blaster. He retains both of the molded "accessories" of his original figure... and the complete lack of articulation of his original figure. He does feature an extra 5 mm hole in gun mode for a bit more variety in mounting options, so that's one up on his original figure.

Zigzag's painted plastic peg fits rather snugly into Sunbeam's port, so care must be taken to avoid stress marks.

This mold was also used to make Ozone and Singe.

Notes

• According to Needlenose's Universe profile, "Zigzag" is a code name he chose for himself.
• Zigzag's 2016 trademark-friendly name, Zputty, is based on David Puddy, a mechanic from Seinfeld played by Patrick Warburton.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Zigzag (ジグザグ Jiguzagu)

References